CP2 Computing June 2007

[1](a)

A teacher uses a word processor to produce cards with a picture on one side and large text on the other side describing the picture.
Describe two features of a word processing package that would be essential in producing these cards.

[2]

placement and positioning of graphics into a document
changing font sizes to produce large text.

(b)

The teacher also uses the spreadsheet below to manage her classroom expenditure.

	A	B	C
1
2	Expenditure to date	Amount
3
4	Photocopying	£125.00
5	Posters	£39.00
6	Stationery	£130.00
7	Books	£250.00
8	Miscellaneous	£50.00
9	TOTAL EXPENDITURE TO DATE
10
11	BUDGET AVAILABLE FOR YEAR	£1000.00
12
13	AMOUNT STILL AVAILABLE
14
15	OVERSPEND FOR YEAR YES/NO

(i)

Write down the formula that should be contained in cell B9 to calculate the total expenditure to date and the formula that should be contained in cell B13 to calculate the amount still available.

[1]

[Cell B9]
=SUM(B4:B8)
or =B4+B5+B6+B7+B8
[Cell B13]
=B11 - B9

(ii)

Write down the formula that should be contained in cell B15 to display 'YES' or 'NO' depending on whether an overspend has occurred or not.

[1]

=IF(B13 < 0,"YES","NO")

[2](a)

A computing student has organised the storage of his files on a hard disc, as shown in the diagram below.

(i)

What name is given to this type of file structure?

[1]

a hierarchical structure

(ii)

Explain why this is a sensible way of organising file storage.

[1]

it is easier (and therefore faster) to find a file

(b)

One attribute a file may have is read only; state one other attribute a file may have.

[1]

Hidden - the file is not displayed in file listings

(c)

Disc drives use blocks when transferring data to and from disc. What is a block?

[1]

The amount of data that a computer can transfer at a time.

[3](a)

Explain the difference between data validation and data verification.

[2]

validation - checking that data is reasonable / sensible.
verification - checking for transcription (typing) errors

(b)

Validation and verification checks are carried out on data being entered into a database at a video rental shop. One item of data to be entered is:

number of films in stock

Describe a suitable validation check that could be carried out on the number of films in stock, and give an example of invalid data that would be detected by this validation check.

[2]

Description of the validation check

Type check - the data must be numerical

Example of invalid data

(c)

Employees at the shop log in using a password. Employees' passwords are changed on a regular basis. Describe a suitable verification check that should be carried out when an employee changes their password.

Description of the verification check

Double entry - the password is typed in twice.

Describe what happens if verification fails

The data is not accepted for input, and the employee has to enter the data again.

[4]

The file server of a small business has a large hard disc that needs to be backed up.

(i)

Name a secondary storage device that would be suitable for making a back up of a large hard disc. Describe a suitable strategy for backing up this data.

[2]

Tape streamer
All data should be backed up regularly. Eg every night. A new tape should be used each day, possibly recycling tapes after 7 days.

(ii)

Describe how the secondary storage device should be stored and how this may then be used to restore the data after a fire has completely destroyed the server.

[2]

It should be stored away from the server - preferably in another building. Backups can be done over a network.
Data from the most recent backup tape needs to be input to the file server. Any transactions since the last backup will need to be repeated.

[5](a)

Using an example in each case, explain the meaning of the following terms:

[6]

Field

A single data item.
Eg. A customer's account number

Record

A collection of related fields.
Eg. All the data about a particular customer - Account No., Name, Address, ...etc

File

A collection of related records.
A file of records of all the customers.

(b)

Explain how a record is added to:

(i)

a serial file

[1]

A record is appended (added) onto the end of the file.

(ii)

a sequential file

[2]

A record is added to the end of the file...
...and then the file is sorted into order of a keyfield.

[6](a)

Using a suitable example, explain the computer term bit.

[1]

A single binary digit (0 or 1)

(b)

Using a suitable example, explain the computer term byte.

[1]

A byte is 8 bits Eg. 00101101

(c)

Explain the computer term word.

[1]

The number of bits that a computer can process at a time.

[7](a)

Describe three examples of how an operating system manages resources.

[3]

a job waiting to be run is found, input and execution is started
memory is allocated to each job as it is input
output is sent to the appropriate output device (Eg. monitor, printer)
when files of data are stored on backing store devices, the OS updates the FAT (File Allocation Table)
(any three)

(b)(i)

Explain how spooling is carried out on a computer when several documents need to be printed.

[2]

each document is sent to the (print server's) hard drive, and stored there until the printer is ready to print them.
each document is loaded and printed in turn.

(ii)

Describe a benefit of spooling for the user.

[1]

the user does not have to wait until the document has finished printing before using the computer for other tasks.

(c)

Explain the term time slice when used in a multi-user operating system.

[2]

a time-slice is a small amount of processing time ...
...allocated to each user's job in turn.

[8]

Some hand held devices use voice input commands to operate the device.

(i)

Why is voice input a suitable method of input?

[1]

there is no need for extra hardware (such as a keyboard)

(ii)

Describe two situations where commands may not be recognised by the device.

[2]

the user of the device may have a strong regional accent, so the words are not recognised.
the user may have a heavy cold or sore throat - resulting in 'croaked' commands.
the user may not be speaking in the correct language.

(iii)

How could the device be operated when the voice input does not recognise a command?

[1]

a small keypad may be used.

[9]

A local council stores data on residents. The data includes names, addresses and the value of their houses. Employees access the council's computer system using usernames and passwords and have access to residents' data.

(a)

The council suspects that some staff are benefiting illegally from having access to residents' data.

(i)

Describe how a council employee could illegally benefit from having access to the residents' data.

[1]

The house value data may be altered - for example to decrease the amount of council tax that has to be paid.

(ii)

All employees are required to comply with the council's code of conduct. Explain how this code of conduct may reduce such illegal activity.

[1]

An employee has to agree to a certain set of rules when they are first given the job. If they break these rules they may be asked to leave!

(iii)

Apart from passwords and a code of conduct, describe two other measures that the council might adopt to try and prevent employees taking part in such illegal activities.

[2]

monitoring the computer activities of an employee.
allocating different levels of access to different employees.
allowing residents right of access to their files.(compulsory disclosure)

(b)

The council complies with the Data Protection Act by ensuring that residents' data is obtained lawfully, held securely and held for no longer than necessary. Describe three other ways in which the council must operate in order to comply with the Data Protection Act.

[3]

data must be kept up-to-date and accurate.
data must only be used for the stated purpose.
only data relevant to the stated purpose must be stored.

[10]

A mother, father and two children have three computers in their house. The computer in the study is used by the parents to help with their business and has Internet access and email. This computer has a printer and a scanner attached.

The children have a stand-alone computer in each of their bedrooms that they use for school homework and to play games. When the children want to access the Internet or print or scan a document they use the computer in the study.

The children have suggested networking all three computers.

Describe the benefits and drawbacks of this home-based network.

The children sometimes spend long periods on the computer. What effect might this have on their health?

[9+3]

If the computers are networked, the hardware such as the scanner and printer can be shared and used by any computer on the network, so the children could print their homework directly. It would also be possible for the children to use the Internet access for research for their homework, and send emails. Instant messages could also be sent from one computer to another in the house.

The Internet access for the children would have to be controlled so they do not access undesirable sites such as pornography or unrecognised chat rooms. There may also be a potential for viruses to attack all the computers in the house, so virus-protection software would need to be installed.

There may also be a danger of the children hacking into the parents' business files, and accidentally deleting data.

If children spend too much time on the computer, their level of fitness is going to deteriorate, and this may lead to obesity and other medical problems. There may also be problems with loss of social skills if the children do not go out and mix with others.

Other problems associated with extended computer use are back or neck strains, eye strain or RSI.